Tokyo, Sydney post modest gains in early trading

V.Phani Kumar

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Asian markets advanced early Friday after another higher finish on Wall Street, but gains were modest in Tokyo and Sydney after both markets rose in the previous three sessions. Metal stocks were broadly higher across markets, with financials and automakers also advancing. The Nikkei 225 Average rose 0.5% to 9,883.12 in Tokyo while the broader Topix Index was flat. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.1%, with South Korea's Kospi rising 0.8% and New Zealand's NZX 50 up 0.3%.

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